UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 18, 2005

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-10323

74-2099724

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO, Houston, Texas

77002

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(713) 324-2950

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

______________________________________

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act

(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act

(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 18, 2005, Continental Airlines, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its financial results for the third quarter of 2005. The press release contains certain non-GAAP financial information. The reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial information to GAAP financial measures is included in the press release and the schedules thereto. Further, the press release contains statements intended as "forward-looking statements," all of which are subject to the cautionary statement about forward-looking statements set forth therein. The press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8176, the information contained in such press release shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

99.1

Press Release dated October 18, 2005

     

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Continental Airlines, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

 

 

October 18, 2005

By   /s/ Jennifer L. Vogel

 

       Jennifer L. Vogel

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1

Press Release dated October 18, 2005

   

 

 

News Release

EXHIBIT 99.1

News Release

Contact: Corporate Communications

Houston: 713.324.5080

Email: corpcomm@coair.com

News archive: continental.com/company/news/ Address: P.O. Box 4607, Houston, TX 77210-4607


CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER PROFIT

Achieves profit despite record high jet fuel prices and impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

HOUSTON, Oct. 18, 2005 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today reported third quarter 2005 net income of $61 million or $0.80 diluted earnings per share, including a $3 million net special charge. Excluding the net special charge, Continental recorded net income of $64 million ($0.83 diluted earnings per share) which compares favorably to the First Call mean estimate of $0.27 earnings per share.

Operating income of $109 million for the third quarter 2005 was an $87 million improvement over the third quarter 2004, primarily due to significant revenue improvements and savings from pay and benefit reductions.

The record high cost of jet fuel continues to adversely affect the company's financial results. In the third quarter, Continental's mainline fuel expense totaled $684 million, up 65.2 percent over the same period last year. Fuel expense is now Continental's single largest expense item. In the week following Hurricane Rita, the price per barrel of Gulf Coast jet fuel increased nearly $32, closing at a then-record $124.36 per barrel on Sept. 28.

 

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita adversely impacted Continental's operations. Rita forced the carrier to suspend service for 36 hours at its largest hub, Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport, costing the company an estimated $25 million in the third quarter.

"My co-workers did an incredible job to overcome tremendous challenges posed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," said Larry Kellner, chairman and chief executive officer. "Continental continues to grow and outdistance its competitors because of my co-workers' economic sacrifices, teamwork and tireless dedication."

Third Quarter Revenue and Capacity

Third quarter passenger revenue was a record $2.8 billion, up 15.3 percent over the same period in 2004, on a 7.0 percent increase in passengers and a consolidated yield increase of 5.6 percent year-over-year.  Improvements in revenue were largely the result of continued expansion into international markets and higher fares, as the company tries to recoup increased jet fuel costs. Total revenue for the quarter exceeded $3 billion, also a record.

Consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) were up 9.2 percent on an 8.8 percent capacity increase over the same period in 2004. As a result, consolidated load factor increased 0.4 points to 81.1 percent for the third quarter 2005 compared to the third quarter 2004.

Consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for the quarter increased 6.0 percent year-over-year.

Mainline traffic (RPMs) increased 8.1 percent compared to the third quarter 2004 on a capacity increase of 7.9 percent. Mainline load factor was 81.7 percent, up 0.2 points from the third quarter 2004. Continental's third quarter mainline yield was up 5.5 percent year-over-year.

During the quarter, Continental continued to achieve domestic length-of-haul adjusted yield and passenger RASM premiums to the industry. Passenger revenue for the third quarter 2005 and period to period comparisons of related statistics by geographic region for the company's mainline and regional operations are as follows:

Percentage Increase (Decrease) in

Passenger Third Quarter 2005 vs. Third Quarter 2004

Revenue Passenger

(in millions) Revenue RASM ASMs

Domestic $ 1,217 7.6% 5.3% 2.1%

Transatlantic 545 25.7% 9.1% 15.2%

Latin America 285 12.7% 6.7% 5.6%

Pacific 222 30.1% (0.6)% 30.9%

Total Mainline $ 2,269 14.1% 5.6% 7.9%

Regional $ 491 21.4% 5.2% 15.5%

Consolidated $ 2,760 15.3% 6.0% 8.8%

The airline industry continues to suffer from the relentless burden of excessive government fees and non-income related taxes. Despite record high fuel prices, the commercial aviation industry is still burdened by a fuel tax surcharge on each gallon of jet fuel it buys. In the third quarter of 2005, Continental incurred $315 million in fees and non-income related taxes charged on passenger tickets by various governmental entities. These fees and taxes were equivalent to approximately half of total pay and benefit costs for the quarter.

Operational Accomplishments

Despite severe weather, including the two hurricanes that pounded the Gulf Coast resulting in the cancellation of 1,272 mainline flights, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 74.7 percent and a systemwide mainline completion factor of 98.8 percent during the quarter.

"Continental's employees again delivered a great product and solid operational results, in spite of the two hurricanes that affected the Gulf Coast in the third quarter," said Jeff Smisek, Continental's president. "Although times are tough, my co-workers are working together to make sure that our airline not only survives, but that it prospers once again."

Continental and its employees worked together to handle the many challenges posed by the hurricanes. The company helped to evacuate New Orleans and Houston by increasing access to lower fares in the days immediately preceding and following the storms and waiving change fees for travelers. Following Hurricane Katrina, thousands of employees volunteered to staff shelters and donate needed supplies including luggage, clothing and pet crates. With Rita, Continental employees, including hundreds that flew in from other cities, worked until hours before the hurricane's arrival to ensure that passengers were not stranded in the airports. Others worked through the storm to ensure that flight operations at Houston quickly resumed when the airport re-opened.

During the quarter, Continental began mediation with its flight attendants in an effort to reach an agreement for pay and benefit reductions and work rule changes. In addition, the company's field service employees rejected representation sought by the Transport Workers Union of America.

Continental generated record sales volume at continental.com in the third quarter, setting a single-day sales record of $9.5 million on Sept. 1, and growing 43 percent compared to the third quarter 2004. The company's Web site achieved record sales volume of $2.2 billion for the most recent 12-month period ending Sept. 30.

Continental continued its international expansion in the third quarter, beginning daily nonstop service between its Houston hub and Cali, Colombia. The carrier will begin daily nonstop service between New York/Liberty and Delhi, India on Nov. 1. Continental also recently received preliminary government approval to fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina, from its Houston hub.

Third Quarter Financial Results

Continental's mainline cost per available seat mile (CASM) for the third quarter 2005 increased 3.0 percent compared to the same period last year, primarily due to record high fuel prices. Holding fuel rate constant and excluding special charges, CASM decreased 7.0 percent compared to the third quarter 2004, primarily as a result of pay and benefit reductions and work rule changes that began in April and previously implemented cost saving initiatives.

"We're making good progress to contain controllable costs," said Jeff Misner, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Although fuel costs continue to plague us, we ended the quarter with a strong cash balance."

Continental ended the third quarter with $1.92 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments. Although revenue trends have been improving, the company still expects to incur a significant loss in the fourth quarter and for the full year 2005.

In July, Continental contributed $40 million cash to its defined benefit pension plans. The company subsequently contributed an additional $84 million cash to its plans ($19 million in September and $65 million in October), bringing its year-to-date pension contributions to $304 million and meeting its pension contribution requirements for 2005.

Taking into consideration the expected fourth quarter loss, $356 million of debt and capital lease principal payments due in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the $65 million cash pension contribution Continental made in October 2005, the company currently expects that its unrestricted cash and short-term investments balance as of Dec. 31, 2005 will be approximately $1.4 billion, not including any fourth quarter capital market transactions or other financings, except for previously announced aircraft financing transactions.

Continental also believes that under current conditions, absent adverse factors outside of its control, such as additional terrorist attacks, hostilities involving the United States, a further delay in the restart of the Gulf Coast refineries or further significant increases in crude oil prices, its existing liquidity and projected 2006 cash flows will be sufficient to fund current operations and other financial obligations through 2006. 

During the third quarter, Continental ordered two additional new Boeing 777-200ER widebody airplanes, with backstop financing provided by The Boeing Company. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery during the first quarter of 2007 and will serve the most profitable segment of today's aviation market - long-haul international routes.

Continental took delivery of four new Boeing 737-800s and three used Boeing 757-300s during the third quarter and expects to take delivery of three new Boeing 737-800s and three used Boeing 757-300s during the remainder of the year.

Continental recorded a net special charge of $3 million in the third quarter, consisting of an $18 million non-cash settlement charge related to lump-sum distributions from the frozen pilot defined benefit pension plan, and a $15 million reversal of previously recorded expense related to permanently grounded aircraft following negotiated settlements with the aircraft lessors in an improving aircraft market.

Corporate Background

Continental Airlines is the world's sixth-largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,000 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 151 domestic and 133 international destinations, more than any other carrier in the world. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines, which include Aeromexico, Air France/KLM, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines.  With over 42,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 60 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.

For the second consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2005 list of Most Admired Global Companies. Continental was also included in the publication's annual "Top 50" list, which ranks all companies, across a wide variety of industries, that appear in the Global Most Admired Companies issue. Continental again won major awards at the 2005 OAG Airline of the Year Awards including "Airline of the Year" and "Best Airline Based in North America" for the second consecutive year, and "Best Executive/Business Class" for the third consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com.

Continental Airlines will conduct a regular quarterly telephone briefing to discuss these results and the company's financial and operating outlook with the financial community and news media at 9:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 19, 2005. To listen to a live broadcast of this briefing, go to continental.com/company.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect the company's current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For examples of such risks and uncertainties, please see the risk factors set forth in the company's 2004 10-K/A and its other securities filings, including any amendments thereto, which identify important matters such as the consequences of its significant financial losses and high leverage, terrorist attacks, domestic and international economic conditions, the significant cost of aircraft fuel, labor costs, competition, and industry conditions, including the demand for air travel, the airline pricing environment and industry capacity decisions, regulatory matters and the seasonal nature of the airline business. In addition to the foregoing ris ks, there can be no assurance that the company will be able to obtain the needed pay and benefit reductions from its flight attendants or that the ratified agreements and the pay and benefit reductions and work rule changes from other work groups will enable the company to achieve the cost reductions expected, which will depend, upon other matters, on timely and effective implementation of new work rules, actual productivity improvement, employee attrition, technology implementation, our level of business activity, relations with employees generally and the ultimate accuracy of certain assumptions on which our cost savings are based. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.

-tables attached-


CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

(In millions, except per share data) (Unaudited)

 

Three Months                       

Ended September 30,                  

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

 

     2005 

   2004 

Operating Revenue:

     

Passenger (excluding fees and taxes of $315 and
$280)


$2,760 

 


$2,393 

 


15.3 %

 

Cargo, mail and other

   241 

 

   209 

 

15.3 %

 
 

3,001 

 

2,602 

 

15.3 %

 

Operating Expenses:

           

Aircraft fuel and related taxes

684 

 

414 

 

65.2 %

 

Wages, salaries and related costs

646 

 

703 

 

(8.1)%

 

ExpressJet capacity purchase, net

406 

 

347 

 

17.0 %

 

Aircraft rentals

234 

 

224 

 

4.5 %

 

Landing fees and other rentals

182 

 

171 

 

6.4 %

 

Distribution costs

154 

 

139 

 

10.8 %

 

Maintenance, materials and repairs

116 

 

107 

 

8.4 %

 

Depreciation and amortization

97 

 

104 

 

(6.7)%

 

Passenger services

91 

 

84 

 

8.3 %

 

Special charges (a)

 

22 

 

NM    

 

Other

   279 

 

   265 

 

5.3 %

 
 

2,892 

 

2,580 

 

12.1 %

 
             

Operating Income

   109 

 

     22 

 

395.5 %

 
             

Nonoperating Income (Expense):

           

Interest expense

(106)

 

(97)

 

9.3 %

 

Interest capitalized

 

 

33.3 %

 

Interest income

21 

 

 

162.5 %

 

Income from affiliates

27 

 

29 

 

(6.9)%

 

Other, net

        6 

 

      17 

 

(64.7)%

 
 

    (48)

 

    (40)

 

20.0 %

 
             

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

61 

 

(18)

 

NM    

 

Income Tax Benefit (Expense) (b)

        - 

 

        - 

 

-      

 
             

Net Income (Loss)

$    61 

 

$   (18)

 

NM    

 
             

Earnings (Loss) per Share:

           

Basic

$ 0.91 

 

$(0.28)

 

NM    

 

Diluted

$ 0.80 

 

$(0.29)

 

NM    

 
             

Shares used for Computation:

           

Basic

67.0 

 

66.3 

 

1.1 %

 

Diluted

81.9 

 

66.3 

 

23.5 %

 

  1. During the third quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a settlement charge of $18 million related to lump-sum distributions from the frozen pilot defined pension plan and a $15 million reversal of previously recorded expense related to permanently grounded aircraft for a net special charge of $3 million. The Company recorded $22 million of special charges during the third quarter 2004 primarily related to the retirement of three leased MD-80 aircraft.
  2. During the first quarter of 2004, due to continued losses, the Company was required to provide a valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. As a result, our net income for the third quarter of 2005 and net loss for the third quarter of 2004 were not reduced by any tax expense (benefit).

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

(In millions, except per share data) (Unaudited)

 

Nine Months                     

Ended September 30,                  

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

 

     2005

    2004

Operating Revenue:

     

Passenger (excluding fees and taxes of $884 and
$787)


$7,647 

 


$6,837 

 


11.8 %

 

Cargo, mail and other

   716 

 

   625 

 

14.6 %

 
 

8,363 

 

7,462 

 

12.1 %

 

Operating Expenses:

           

Aircraft fuel and related taxes

1,729 

 

1,134 

 

52.5 %

 

Wages, salaries and related costs

2,009 

 

2,102 

 

(4.4)%

 

ExpressJet capacity purchase, net

1,140 

 

992 

 

14.9 %

 

Aircraft rentals

689 

 

666 

 

3.5 %

 

Landing fees and other rentals

535 

 

494 

 

8.3 %

 

Distribution costs

445 

 

416 

 

7.0 %

 

Maintenance, materials and repairs

334 

 

321 

 

4.0 %

 

Depreciation and amortization

293 

 

313 

 

(6.4)%

 

Passenger services

252 

 

229 

 

10.0 %

 

Special charges (a)

46 

 

107 

 

NM    

 

Other

   836 

 

   763 

 

9.6 %

 
 

8,308 

 

7,537 

 

10.2 %

 
             

Operating Income (Loss)

     55 

 

   (75)

 

NM    

 
             

Nonoperating Income (Expense):

           

Interest expense

(304)

 

(292)

 

4.1 %

 

Interest capitalized

 

11 

 

(18.2)%

 

Interest income

47 

 

19 

 

147.4 %

 

Income from affiliates

67 

 

83 

 

(19.3)%

 

Gain on disposition of ExpressJet Holdings shares

98 

 

 

NM    

 

Other, net

        3 

 

      13 

 

(76.9)%

 
 

    (80)

 

  (166)

 

(51.8)%

 
             

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

(25)

 

(241)

 

(89.6)%

 

Income Tax Benefit (Expense) (b)

       - 

 

     40 

 

NM    

 
             

Net Loss

$  (25)

 

$(201)

 

(87.6)%

 
             

Loss per Share:

           

Basic

$(0.37)

 

$(3.05)

 

(87.9)%

 

Diluted

$(0.38)

 

$(3.09)

 

(87.7)%

 
             

Shares used for Basic and Diluted Computation

66.8 

 

66.1 

 

1.1 %

 

  1. In the first nine months of 2005, the Company recorded special charges of $46 million which consisted of a curtailment charge of $43 million related to the freezing of the portion of our defined benefit pension plan attributable to pilots, an $18 million settlement charge related to lump-sum distributions from the frozen pilot defined pension plan, and a $15 million reversal of previously recorded expense related to permanently grounded aircraft. In the first nine months of 2004, the Company recorded special charges of $107 million primarily related to the retirement of twelve leased MD-80 aircraft and the termination of a services agreement.
  2. During the first quarter of 2004, due to continued losses, the Company was required to provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. As a result, our net losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and the majority of the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were not reduced by any tax benefit.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATISTICS

 

Three Months

Ended September 30,

%

Increase/

 

    2005    

    2004    

(Decrease)

       

Mainline Statistics:

       

Passengers (thousands)

11,642

 

11,182

 

4.1 %

 

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

19,378

 

17,923

 

8.1 %

 

Available seat miles (millions)

23,721

 

21,979

 

7.9 %

 

Cargo ton miles (millions)

246

 

250

 

(1.6)%

 
             

Passenger load factor:

           

Mainline

81.7%

 

81.5%

 

0.2 pts.

 

Domestic

83.5%

 

81.3%

 

2.2 pts.

 

International

79.8%

 

81.8%

 

(2.0) pts.

 
             

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

9.56

 

9.05

 

5.6 %

 

Total revenue per available seat mile (cents)

10.63

 

10.00

 

6.3 %

 

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

11.70

 

11.09

 

5.5 %

 
             

Cost per available seat mile (cents) (a)

9.93

 

9.64

 

3.0 %

 

Special charges per available seat mile (cents)

0.02

 

0.10

 

NM    

 

Cost per available seat mile, holding fuel rate constant (cents) (a)

8.89

 

9.64

 

(7.8)%

 
             

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes (cents)

187.99

 

119.85

 

56.9 %

 

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

364

 

345

 

5.5 %

 
             

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period

350

 

352

 

(0.6)%

 

Average length of aircraft flight (miles)

1,434

 

1,358

 

5.6 %

 

Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours)

10:58

 

10:05

 

8.8 %

 
             

Regional Operations:

           

Passengers (thousands)

4,263

 

3,680

 

15.8 %

 

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

2,384

 

1,999

 

19.3 %

 

Available seat miles (millions)

3,112

 

2,695

 

15.5 %

 

Passenger load factor

76.6%

 

74.2%

 

2.4 pts.

 

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

15.79

 

15.01

 

5.2 %

 

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

20.61

 

20.24

 

1.8 %

 

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period

261

 

240

 

8.8 %

 
             

Consolidated Statistics (Mainline and Regional):

           

Passengers (thousands)

15,905

 

14,862

 

7.0 %

 

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

21,762

 

19,922

 

9.2 %

 

Available seat miles (millions)

26,833

 

24,674

 

8.8 %

 

Passenger load factor

81.1%

 

80.7%

 

0.4 pts.

 

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

10.28

 

9.70

 

6.0 %

 

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

12.68

 

12.01

 

5.6 %

 

  1. Includes impact of special charges.

 

 

 

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATISTICS

 

Nine Months

Ended September 30,

%

Increase/

 

    2005    

    2004    

(Decrease)

       

Mainline Statistics:

       

Passengers (thousands)

33,706

 

32,119

 

4.9 %

 

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

53,583

 

49,466

 

8.3 %

 

Available seat miles (millions)

67,022

 

63,796

 

5.1 %

 

Cargo ton miles (millions)

743

 

748

 

(0.7)%

 
             

Passenger load factor:

           

Mainline

79.9%

 

77.5%

 

2.4 pts.

 

Domestic

81.4%

 

77.3%

 

4.1 pts.

 

International

78.2%

 

77.9%

 

0.3 pts.

 
             

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

9.37

 

8.88

 

5.5 %

 

Total revenue per available seat mile (cents)

10.48

 

9.86

 

6.3 %

 

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

11.72

 

11.45

 

2.4 %

 
             

Cost per available seat mile (cents) (a)

10.13

 

9.73

 

4.1 %

 

Special charges per available seat mile (cents)

0.07

 

0.17

 

NM    

 

Cost per available seat mile, holding fuel rate constant (cents) (a)

9.28

 

9.73

 

(4.6)%

 
             

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes (cents)

167.58

 

112.64

 

48.8 %

 

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

1,032

 

1,007

 

2.5 %

 
             

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period

350

 

352

 

(0.6)%

 

Average length of aircraft flight (miles)

1,387

 

1,326

 

4.6 %

 

Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours)

10:35

 

9:58

 

6.2 %

 
             

Regional Operations:

           

Passengers (thousands)

11,862

 

10,110

 

17.3 %

 

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

6,582

 

5,447

 

20.8 %

 

Available seat miles (millions)

8,878

 

7,697

 

15.3 %

 

Passenger load factor

74.1 %

 

70.8 %

 

3.3 pts.

 

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

15.42

 

15.22

 

1.3 %

 

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

20.80

 

21.50

 

(3.3)%

 

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period

261

 

240

 

8.8 %

 
             

Consolidated Statistics (Mainline and Regional):

           

Passengers (thousands)

45,568

 

42,229

 

7.9 %

 

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

60,165

 

54,913

 

9.6 %

 

Available seat miles (millions)

75,900

 

71,493

 

6.2 %

 

Passenger load factor

79.3%

 

76.8%

 

2.5 pts.

 

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

10.08

 

9.56

 

5.4 %

 

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

12.71

 

12.45

 

2.1 %

 

  1. Includes impact of special charges.

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


Earnings per Share

Three Months
Ended September 30, 2005

 
             

Diluted earnings per share

$0.80

         
             

Adjustment for special charges

 0.03

         
             

Diluted earnings per share, excluding special charges (a)

$0.83

         

   


Net Income (in millions)

Three Months
Ended September 30, 2005

 
             

Net income

$61

         
             

Adjustment for special charges

   3

         
             

Net income excluding special charges (a)

$ 64

         
     
 

Three Months  
Ended September 30,

%
Increase/

CASM Mainline Operations (cents)

    2005   

    2004    

(Decrease)

       

Cost per available seat mile (CASM)

9.93 

 

9.64 

 

3.0 %

 
             

Less:  Current year fuel cost per available seat mile (b)

(2.88)

 

 

NM    

 

Add:  Current year fuel cost at prior year fuel price per
             available seat mile (b)


 1.84 

 


      - 

 


NM    

 
             

CASM holding fuel rate constant (a)

8.89

 

9.64 

 

(7.8)%

 
             

Adjustments for special charges

(0.02)

 

(0.10)

 

NM    

 
             

CASM holding fuel rate constant and excluding
  special charges (a)


8.87 

 


9.54 

 


(7.0)%

 
             
             
 

Nine Months  
Ended September 30,

%
Increase/

 

    2005    

    2004    

(Decrease)

       

Cost per available seat mile (CASM)

10.13 

 

9.73 

 

4.1 %

 
             

Less:  Current year fuel cost per available seat mile (b)

(2.58)

 

-

 

NM    

 

Add:  Current year fuel cost at prior year fuel price per
             available seat mile (b)


 1.73 

 


      - 

 


NM    

 
             

CASM holding fuel rate constant (a)

9.28

 

9.73 

 

(4.6)%

 

  1. By excluding special charges or adjusting for fuel price increases, these financial measures provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor Continental's performance on a consistent basis.
  2. Both the cost and availability of fuel are subject to many economic and political factors and are therefore beyond our control.

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